Calendar of Events

Free / General Admission
At Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave, Knoxville TN 37915

Times: Saturday December 9 @ 3:00, Sunday December 10 @ 3:00, and Monday December 11 @ 7:00. Doors will open 1 hour prior to show time.

"Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas - for its meaning never ends."

Come join us for the 55th annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville. The floor of the Civic Coliseum will become the towns of Nazareth and Bethlehem as we reenact the birth story of Jesus Christ in a 1 hour production featuring a 150 voice choir, a 150 member cast, a full orchestra, and a stable of live animals. Bring the entire family to celebrate together as we remind ourselves how the Prince of Peace entered this world. www.knoxvillenativity.com

Tour de Lights
Saturday, December 9, 2023
5:30 pm-8:30 pm

Tour de Lights is a fun, free, family friendly bike ride through Downtown and the Old City. Participants are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit by decorating themselves and their bikes. The event engages neighborhoods and businesses, along with others who come out to view the festivities.
More information available at BWKnox.org/TourDeLights

https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/special_events/christmas_in_the_city

Marble Springs State Historic Site is excited to welcome the community to "John Sevier's Yuletide Tavern," a special event that offers a glimpse into 18th-century Christmas traditions.

Crafting Traditional Decorations: On Saturday, December 9th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, visitors can enjoy the art of crafting traditional Christmas and winter decorations. Participants have the opportunity to create ornaments, garlands, and other handmade decorations, either to decorate the tavern or take home.

Warm Beverages and More: To keep guests warm during the event, hot cocoa, tea, and other refreshments will be available. These comforting beverages complement the crafting activities, adding to the holiday ambiance.

Meet John Sevier: A unique aspect of this event is the presence of John Sevier, the first Governor of Tennessee. He will be available to meet with attendees, share stories of the season, and spread some holiday cheer. This provides a chance to connect with history in a special way.

Living History Experience: The event will also feature skilled living history interpreters who will transport visitors to the 18th century. They will engage with guests through captivating tales and insights into the customs and traditions of the era.
"John Sevier's Yuletide Tavern" offers an opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of an authentic 18th-century Christmas celebration. Families, friends, and history enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in this unique day of crafting, conversation, and commemoration.

Free to attend, but please RSVP.

Marble Springs State Historic Site: 1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Information: 865-712-9076, www.marblesprings.net

A Holiday Market to celebrate Knoxville's Tour de Lights. Saturday, December 9, 2023
Mary Costa Plaza at Knoxville Civic Coliseum & Auditorium
3:30pm - 8:00pm

https://www.visitknoxville.com/

Join us for a weekend of book giveaways, cookie decorating, and holiday shopping!
The Change Center, 203 Harriet Tubman St, Knoxville, TN 37915, USA

Dec 8, 9 and 11, 2:30 PM – 9:00 PM; Sun Dec 10, 6-9 PM

Bring your friends and family, immerse yourself in the magic of books, and make a difference in the lives of others. The "Give the Gift of Reading Book Fair" is not just an event; it's a celebration of literacy, community, and the joy of giving! In the spirit of community, we are proud to partner with East Tennessee Freedom Schools, The Change Center, and UTK Children & Young Adult Lit Center. By joining forces, we aim to promote literacy, education, and empowerment in our community. Kick off the weekend with a sprinkle of sweetness! On both Friday and Saturday, engage your creative side with our first-come, first-served cookie decorating station. Delight in the art of cookie design as you explore the pages of captivating stories. Throughout the event, we'll be hosting exciting book giveaways to help you experience the magic of gifting and receiving. Attendees have the chance to take home some literary gems and share the love of reading with others.

https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/give-the-gift-of-reading-book-fair-2023-12-08-14-30

The Winter Farmers' Market by Nourish Knoxville will be here to spice up your winter starting December 2, outdoors in the heart of downtown Knoxville.

2023 - 2024 Winter Farmers’ Market schedule:
Every Saturday, December 2 - December 23 (10 am - 2 pm)
*** NO MARKETS December 24, 2023 - January 19, 2023 ***
Every Saturday, January 20 - March 30 (10 am - 2 pm)

https://www.nourishknoxville.org/winter-market/

Come celebrate the holidays at the Tennessean! Join us for a luxury tea service complete with our signature teas along with tier courses of scones, tea sandwiches and holiday desserts. It is an experience that you will treasure for years to come!
Saturday, December 2, 9, and 16 at 1:00 PM at The Tennessean Personal Luxury Hotel,
531 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902.

Advance reservations required.
Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-tea-at-the-tennessean-hotel-tickets

Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas at Blount Mansion during A Home for the Holidays - our candlelit Christmas experience. Tours will be conducted on Saturday, December 2nd and 9th at 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, and 7:30pm. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes.

On these special evenings, the historic house will be adorned with hundreds of twinkling candles and festive decorations provided by the members of the Knoxville Garden Club. Our docents will lead you through the beautifully decorated rooms, sharing stories about the house's history and the many holiday traditions it exhibited over the centuries. You'll learn about the family who lived in the house, the customs they celebrated, and the decorations they used to create a warm and inviting Christmas atmosphere.

A Home for the Holidays is a truly magical experience for guests of all ages. They're a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends and to learn more about the history and traditions of Christmas.

Tickets are available via our Facebook and Instagram or online at: https://knoxnews.evvnt.events/events/a-home-for-the-holidays-blount-mansion-christmas-tours

Blount Mansion, 200 W. Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-2375, www.blountmansion.org

The booths are up and waiting for your arrival! This year we have 35 artists representing clay, fiber, painting, paper goods, fine jewelry, woodturning and more! Holiday Shops runs from Dec. 2nd through Dec. 9th, 9-4 each day.

REMINDER: additional parking is immediately past our lot, in the former Recording for the Blind and ORAU lots. See you there!

https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeArtCenter/

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

We invite you to join us for a festive "Visit with Santa"! Come for a day filled with holiday cheer where Santa Claus himself will be taking a break from his busy schedule to meet and greet guests of all ages. You may also take keepsake photos, but please bring your own camera or phone-no professional photography available. Free with general zoo admission and for Zoo Knoxville Members. Presented by Publix Charities.

Santa will be greeting guests from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily in the Wee Play Adventure Building on the following dates:

Friday, Dec. 1
Saturday, Dec. 2
Sunday, Dec. 3

Friday, Dec. 8
Saturday, Dec. 9
Sunday, Dec. 10

Friday, Dec. 15
Saturday, Dec. 16
Sunday, Dec. 17

Friday, Dec. 22
Saturday, Dec. 23

Wishing you the happiest of holidays from all of us at Zoo Knoxville!
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 637-5331 or zooknox@zooknoxville.org
9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Christkindlesmarkt is a traditional German Christmas Market. Original markets date back to as far as the late Middle Ages and are a hotspot for German holiday culture. With the growth in business, we’ve chosen 2021 to host our first ever Christkindlesmarkt and we had a blast!

Choosing to incorporate as many traditional Chriskindlesmarkt practices as we could ended up being a great decision. Some of these practices included serving Gluhwein, having Polka bands play traditional Christmas songs, obtaining vendors with only handcrafted products, and providing a variety of German sweets for purchase.

Our market took place four consecutive Saturdays before Christmas and allowed the community to come together for a bit of shopping, drinking, socializing, and celebrating after a long year.

There is much more culture and history of Christkindlesmarkt to uncover. Let’s hope we debut even more traditions next year! Public Event, No Ticket Required. All Saturdays & Sundays from 11.25 - 12.24
http://www.schulzbraubrewing.com/christkindlesmarkt/

HOLIDAYS ON ICE
PRESENTED BY HOME FEDERAL BANK
Friday, November 24, 2023 through
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Market Square

Take a skate on Knoxville's open air ice skating rink.
More information available at KnoxvillesHolidaysOnIce.com.

https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/special_events/christmas_in_the_city